Spoofhounds secure state qualification with sixth runner crossing line
JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM
The Spoofhound girls cross country team of Arryonna Bartlett, Audrey Deering, Avery Berry, Ellie Parsons, Olivia Monahan and Elliett Bade advanced to the state meet after qualifying at districts in Platte City on Saturday.
PLATTE CITY, Mo. — Sixth runners in cross country don’t often factor into the team scores, but when they do, they really do.
Freshman Elliett Bade really factored in Saturday for the Spoofhound girls who finished in a tie with Odessa through each team’s varsity five. Bade crossed the finish line in 64th place overall to secure the state trip of her entire team.
“It is honestly really amazing because we knew that we had the possibility to make it to state, but we knew that everyone had to really focus on the team and not their individual time,” Bade said. “Basically team mentality. It is honestly really amazing to figure out that we pulled it off in the end.”
Bade, the daughter of head coach Rodney Bade, was focused on just being able to finish the 5K races this season. She has cut over four minutes off her time since the first 5K of the season.
To secure that tie with Odessa, every runner for the Spoofhounds in front of Bade had to to do her job as well. The most exciting finish came from the other freshman on the roster Olivia Monahan.
“If they didn’t do what they did today, we would not have gone as a team,” senior Ellie Parsons said. “Everyone did exactly what they needed to do.”
Monahan’s face during the race wouldn’t tell you that she was running a 5K with her stoic demeanor. But on the final turn, the boys team was waiting to cheer her on as a Boonville runner was significantly in front of her, but within reach according to the boys.
“Olivia could’ve easily went, ‘it is what it is and this is where I’m at,’” Rodney Bade said. “… I kept telling her, let’s find your track speed. She talks about being a 400 runner, so let’s do it, let’s show it. And boy, she jus flew at the end and caught her at the line. It was really cool.”
Monahan rewarded their faith as the 400-meter runner during the spring found another gear and surged past the Pirate. That move allowed the race to come down to Bade finishing.
“I am very proud of them and what they have accomplished,” junior Audrey Deering said of the freshmen. “They have improved so much.”
At the front of the race, Deering continued what has been an incredible bounce-back season after health issues derailed her sophomore season.
“Comparing everything to last year and realizing that I’ve come very far,” Deering said. “I am proud of myself. I’ve overcome the hardships that I’ve faced and the adversity. It feels good to be doing good.”
Deering’s big brother Bradley Deering, a current runner at Northwest Missouri State, was running in front group from crossing to crossing, encouraging his sister. The junior responded with a personal-best 20:57.95 to take fifth overall.
“It means a lot that they are still cheering me on and I have their support still,” Deering said of her brother and former Spoofhound runner Katherine Pohren. “It is cool, cause now that I’m an upperclassmen, I can take the role they had and try to help the underclassmen. It is just a good feeling.”
Deering will be headed to state for the third time in her career.
Parsons is making her annual pilgrimage to Columbia as a 4-time state qualifier. Parsons set her personal-best at the Gans Creek, where the state meet will be held, earlier this season and is excited to go back one last time.
“I love Gans so much,” Parsons said. “I love the experience.”
Parsons ran a 21:57.01 to take 18th overall at districts.
“I’m on such a high right now,” Parsons said. “It is so exciting. This is four years in a row. … It is awesome that we did it as a team.”
The biggest leap from last season to this season is sophomore Arryonna Bartlett. Bartlett ran a 22:21.94 to finish 23rd overall and join her teammates as medalists.
Last season, Bartlett’s best time was over 26 minutes. This season, she finished with a 21:59.60 at Gans Creek in September.
“Arryonna has had a massive year,” Rodney Bade said. “Huge improvement.”
Senior Avery Berry is making her second-straight trip to state. Berry ran a season-best 24:46.54 to take 43rd at districts.
Knob Noster won the overall team title with St. Michael the Archangel and Moberly earning the other state spots. Oak Grove’s Sophia Rivers won the individual district title with a 20:19.43.
Maryville’s girls and the rest of Class 3 will run at the MSHSAA Class 3 State Championships at Gans Creek in Columbia on Friday with the girls race at 9:45 a.m.
“Just to see everyone so excited about going to state, something that we worked so hard for, that is just really amazing,” Elliett Bade said. “All good vibes.”
